Acts 23:9

And there arose a great cry: and the scribes that were of the Pharisees' part arose, and strove, saying, We find no evil in this man: but if a spirit or an angel hath spoken to him, let us not fight against God. And there arose a great cry: and the scribes - the true reading appears to be, 'scribes' (without the article); That were of the Pharisees' part arose, and strove, saying, We find no evil in this man: but - as to those startling things which be brings to our ears, If a spirit or an angel hath spoken to him - referring, perhaps, to his trance in the temple, of which he had told them ( ). They put this favourable construction upon his proceedings for no other reason than that they had found him one of their own party; they cared not to inquire into the truth of what he alleged, over and above their opinions, but only to

− 9._There was a great cry. _That sedition whereof Luke spake a little before is more plainly expressed in this place; to wit, that they were not only of diverse opinions, but did strive clamorously with outcries. Wherefore, ςασις doth signify somewhat more than dissension. Furthermore, this place doth teach what mischief disagreements bring with them. For because they take their beginning for the most part of ambition, men proceed thence unto contention, and straightway stubbornness breaketh out. When they be come thither, because there is no place left either for judgment or moderation, they can no longer judge of the cause. Those who did detest Paul begin at a sudden to defend him. It was well done, if they had done it with judgment. But because they inveigh against the Sadducees, they are so inflamed with hatred against them, that they be blind in Paul’s matter. For which cause we mu...

6-11 The Pharisees were correct in the faith of the Jewish church. The Sadducees were no friends to the Scripture or Divine revelation; they denied a future state; they had neither hope of eternal happiness, nor dread of eternal misery. When called in question for his being a Christian, Paul might truly say he was called in question for the hope of the resurrection of the dead. It was justifiable in him, by this profession of his opinion on that disputed point, to draw off the Pharisees from persecuting him, and to lead them to protect him from this unlawful violence. How easily can God defend his own cause! Though the Jews seemed to be perfectly agreed in their conspiracy against religion, yet they were influenced by very different motives. There is no true friendship among the wicked, and in a moment, and with the utmost ease, God can turn their union into open enmity. Divine consolat...

Verse Acts 23:9. _THE SCRIBES - AROSE, AND STROVE_] διεμαχοντο, They contended forcibly-they came to an open rupture with the Sadducees; and, in order to support their own party against them, they even admitted as truth, St. Paul's account of his miraculous conversion, and therefore they said, _if a spirit or an angel hath_ _spoken to him_, c. He had previously mentioned that Jesus Christ had appeared to him, when on his way to Damascus and, though they might not be ready to admit the doctrine of _Christ's resurrection_, yet they could, consistently with their own principles, allow that the _soul_ of Christ might appear to him; and they immediately caught at this, as furnishing a strong proof against the doctrine of the Sadducees, who neither believed in angel nor spirit, while the Pharisees confessed both. _LET US NOT FIGHT AGAINST GOD._] Thes

A GREAT CRY - A great clamor and tumult. THE SCRIBES - The learned men. They would naturally be the chief speakers. OF THE PHARISEES’ PART - Who were Pharisees, or who belonged to that party. The scribes were not a distinct sect, but might be either Pharisees or Sadducees. WE FIND NO EVIL IN THIS MAN - No opinion which is contrary to the Law of Moses; no conduct in spreading the doctrine of the resurrection which we do not approve. The importance of this doctrine, in their view, was so great as to throw into the background all the other doctrines that Paul might hold; and, provided this were propagated, they were willing to vindicate and sustain him. A similar testimony was offered to the innocence of the Saviour by Pilate, John 19:6....

EXPOSITION ACTS 23:1 _Looking steadfastly on _for _earnestly beholding, _A.V.; _brethren _for _men and brethren, _A.V._; I have lived before God, _etc., for _I have lived, _etc., _before God, _A.V. LOOKING STEADFASTLY; ἀτενίσας, as in Acts 1:10; Acts 3:4, Acts 3:12; Acts 6:15; Acts 7:55; Acts 10:4;...

AND THERE AROSE A GREAT CRY,.... Or noise, a loud clamour; they began to be very noisy, and to talk loud, and in high spirits, one against another: AND THE SCRIBES THAT WERE OF THE PHARISEES' PART AROSE; there were Scribes in the sanhedrim, and these were some of them on the side of the Sadducees, and some on the side of the Pharisees; though, generally speaking, they agreed with the latter, and are often in Scripture mentioned with them, and for them: however, that part in this sanhedrim that were on their side rose up from their seats, AND STROVE; that is, contended, disputed, and litigated the point with the Sadducees: SAYING, WE FIND NO EVIL IN THIS MAN; why he should be hated, persecuted, and punished: BUT IF A SPIRIT OR AN ANGEL HATH SPOKEN TO HIM; that is, if the Holy Spirit, as the Ethiopic version reads, has inspired him, or God by an angel has revealed anything to him, who...

SCRIBES (_ See Scofield) - (Matthew 2:4). _...

ACTS 23:9 In order to balance the protasis (eiv de.…_)_ at the close of the verse, the Byzantine text (H L P _al,_ followed by the Textus Receptus) adds, perhaps from Acts 5:39, mh. qeomacw/men (“Let us not fight against God”)....

ACTS 22:30 TO ACTS 23:10. PAUL BEFORE THE SANHEDRIN. This is a difficult section, and does not advance the action. Unless the proceedings took place in Greek, the tribune would scarcely secure his object of learning the charge against Paul; it is strange that he should have called a meeting of the Sanhedrin for this purpose, which could be reached otherwise. Paul is released from his chains and faces the court without them, and without the presence of military. He begins a speech which was to explain his position, but is rudely interrupted; he has not been asked to speak, and might be regarded as treating the court without respect. He retorts with applying an abusive epithet to the High Priest who had ordered the interruption. The and before his question ...